How to Write a Children's Book: 8 EASY STEPS!

Summary

In this video, Dave Chesson of Kindlepreneur walks through the essential steps for writing a best-selling children's book. He highlights the importance of understanding your target age range and market, choosing the right writing style, and incorporating key elements like memorable characters and realistic dialogue. He emphasizes the role of an engaging title, a thorough editing process, and the decision between vertical or horizontal book formats. Finally, Chesson stresses the significance of hiring the right illustrator to bring your story to life, offering advice on how to find the perfect fit for your project.

Takeaways

• 😀 Choose the right age range for your children's book and research existing books in that range to understand the language and structure.
• 😀 📚 Select a consistent writing style that aligns with your target age group, such as present/past tense, rhyming, or first/third person.
• 😀 🧒 Include engaging and memorable characters that children can look up to and relate to, with strong personalities and clear goals.
• 😀 🏃 Incorporate action and suspense throughout the book to keep younger readers hooked from start to finish.
• 😀 🗣️ Use realistic dialogue that suits the target age group, simplifying language for younger audiences to maintain engagement.
• 😀 📖 Ensure the storyline is consistent, makes sense, and is age-appropriate, with challenges and solutions that children can understand.
• 😀 🎩 Create characters with distinct traits or memorable features (like a funny hat) to make them more memorable to readers.
• 😀 🏷️ Choose a catchy and memorable book title that resonates with your target audience, avoiding overly artistic or confusing titles.
• 😀 ✍️ Consider hiring an editor or having multiple people proofread your book to ensure it’s free from grammatical or spelling errors.
• 😀 🖼️ Decide on the book's orientation (vertical, horizontal, or square) based on the content and target audience, as this impacts the visual layout.
• 😀 🎨 When hiring an illustrator, choose someone whose style aligns with your book's theme and tone, and explore platforms like Fiverr or DeviantArt.

Q & A

Why is it important to understand the age range of the target audience before writing a children's book?

Understanding the age range is essential because it helps you tailor the story, language, and structure to suit the cognitive and emotional level of your readers. Different age groups require different writing styles, vocabulary, and story complexity.

How can researching books in your chosen age range on Amazon help in writing a children's book?

Researching books in the same age range allows you to observe the language, structure, and themes used by other successful children's books. This gives you a better understanding of what works and what doesn’t, helping you fit your book to the expectations of your target audience.

What writing styles are most suitable for children's books and how do they affect the storytelling?

Common writing styles for children's books include past or present tense, rhyming, first or third person. Rhyming is great for younger audiences as it keeps the story catchy, while past or present tense keeps kids engaged in real-time events. First or third person is essential for connecting readers with the main character.

How does the creation of unforgettable characters contribute to the success of a children's book?

Unforgettable characters with strong personalities, bold actions, and dreams that they pursue against all odds resonate deeply with children. These characters not only engage young readers but also serve as role models or inspirations, making the book more memorable.

What role does suspense play in a children's book?

Suspense creates excitement and keeps children engaged with the story. Starting with a hook or action scene, and maintaining consistent action throughout the book, ensures that the readers remain interested, possibly encouraging them to read more in a series.

Why is realistic dialogue important in children's books, especially for younger readers?

Realistic dialogue makes it easier for young readers to relate to the characters. It uses simplified language appropriate for their age, ensuring they stay engaged and understand the narrative without confusion.

What kind of ending do younger children typically prefer in a story?

Younger children tend to enjoy happy endings where problems are resolved and there is a clear solution. This kind of closure is satisfying and reassuring for them, ensuring that the book feels complete and enjoyable.

How can a book's title impact its success with children?

A book's title is crucial because it’s the first thing children notice. A catchy, memorable title can draw them in, while a confusing or overly artistic title may make it harder for them to connect with the book. The title should be simple and appealing to the target age group.

Why is it important to have an editor or independent reviewers for a children's book?

Even though children's books are often shorter, they still need to be free from grammatical and spelling errors. An editor or independent reviewers can help catch mistakes that the author may have overlooked, ensuring the book maintains a professional standard and doesn’t negatively affect reviews or sales.

What are the key considerations when choosing the orientation of a children's book (vertical, horizontal, or square)?

The orientation depends on the type of story. Vertical orientation is usually ideal for character-based stories, horizontal is better for journey-like narratives, and square format works well for instructional or board books. This choice impacts how the illustrations are laid out and the overall visual appeal.